With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. The State of Kerala was formed by the amalgamation of three regions: the Kingdom of Thiruvithamcoore (Travancore), the Kingdom of Kochi (Cochin), and the Province of Malabar. Thiruvithaamcoore and Kochi, former princely states, were merged to form Thiru-Kochi on July 1, 1949. Malabar was merged with Thiru-Kochi to form the State of Kerala on November 1, 1956, based on the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission set up by the Government of India.

Kerala is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. Among the tourist attractions are great beaches (Kovalam and Varkala), serene hill stations (Ponmudi and Munnar), wildlife sanctuaries (Periyar and Eravikulam) and beautiful Kerala Backwaters (Kumarakom and Punnamada), as also the marvel of kerala building art revealed through Padmanabhapuram Palace, Padmanabhapuram. The tourism department of the state calls the state as God's Own Country. National Geographic Society described Kerala as one of the 50 must-see destinations of a lifetime. Kochi, the commercial capital of the state is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Alapuzha, the first planned town in Kerala is called the Venice of the East. Tourism plays an important role in the state's economy.

Adventure in Kerala :

• Backwater Biking & Canoeing
• Bird Tours
• Forest & Wildlife Photography Tours
• Hiking & Biking
• Trekking & Camping
• Water Sports
• Wildlife Tours

Art & Culture of Kerala :
» Classical Arts of Kerala

• Bharata Natyam
• Chakyarkoothu
• Kathakali
• Mohiniyattam

» Folk Arts of Kerala

• Kalampattu
• Kalaripayattu
• Kaliyoottu
• Kanniyarkali
• Kavadiyattam
• Kolkali
• Thiruvathirakali
• Velakali

Backwaters of Kerala :

• Alleppey Backwaters
• Kochi Backwaters
• Kollam Backwaters
• Kumarakom Backwaters
• Trivandrum Backwaters
  

Fairs & Festivals in Kerala :

• Aranmula Vallamkali
• Champakulam Boat Race
• Christmas
• Deepavali
• Indira Gandhi Boat Race
• Makaravilakku
• Maramom Convention
• Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• Onam
• Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race
• Thrissur Pooram
  

Hill Stations in Kerala :

• Chembra Peak
• Chithirapuram
• Devikulam
• Idukki
• Lakkidi
• Mattupetty
• Munnar
• Nellyampathy
• Peruvannamuzhi
• Ponmudi
• Pythal Mala
• Vythiri
• Wagamon

Kerala Ayurveda :

• Abhyangam
• Dhanyamla Dhara
• Dhara
• Kativasthi
• Kizhi
• Ksheeradhoomam
• Lepanam
• Nasyam
• Njavarakizhi
• Pizhichil
• Sirovasthi
• Snehapanam
• Thalam
• Udvarthanam
• Urovasthi
• Vasthi
• Yoni Prakshalanam

Festivals of Kerala:

• The Great Elephant March
• Mahashivratri
• Malayattur feast
• Chandanakuda Mahotsavam
• Trissur Pooram
• Edapally Perunal
• Aranmula Boat Pageant
• Shri Padmanabhaswamy utsav
• Shri Poornathrayeesa Temple utsav
• Christmas
• Cochin Carnival
• Nehru Cup Snake Boat race
• Onam

India Travel Destination Guide

Cigarettes in India

Indian cigarettes, such as Wills, Gold Flake, Four Square and Charms, are OK once you get used to them, and hardly break the bank (Rs10-30 per pack), but if you find them too rough, stock up on imported brands such as Marlboro and Benson and Hedges, or some rolling tobacco,

Textiles and clothing in India

Silk is usually a good buy in India, provided you make sure it is the real thing (the old test was to see whether it was possible to pull the whole garment straight through a wedding ring; however, some synthetics apparently go through too, so burn a thread and sniff

Land & Topography of Rajasthan

The State has an area of 343,000 sq km. The capital city is Jaipur. The Aravalli Range runs across the state from southwest Guru Peak (Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height to Khetri in the northeast. This divides the state into 60% in the North West of the

Photographing in India

Keep in mind to ask before directing your camera to all that could be considered "strategic", including airports and anything military, but even with the bridges, the stations and the principal roads. The film of camera, sold with the average Western prices, is largely available in India (but check the

Getting Around & Visiting Rajasthan

Getting around the state is rarely problematic, though there's no avoiding some tedious long hauls. The state-run bus company, RSTDC, has regular services between cities, but since it hiked its prices by fifty percent in 1997, private operators have become a more popular option, offering cheaper fares and greater comfort.

Paintings and antiques in India

Most Tibetan thangkas (Buddhist religious paintings mounted on brocaded silk) are mass produced (usually in Nepal) and mod¬ern, whatever the seller says, but even the cheapest boast the dense Buddhist symbol¬ism inherent in the form. You'll find them in the north, where there are Tibetan commu¬nities, and a little investigation

Electricity in India

Generally 220V 50Hz AC, though direct current supplies also exist, so check before plugging in. Most sockets are triple round-pin (accepting European-size double round-pin plugs). British, Irish and Australasian plugs will need an adaptor, preferably universal; American and Canadian appliances will need a transformer too, unless multi-voltage. Power cuts and

Safety & Security

Rajasthan is a peaceful state and its people are friendly and well meaning. This piece of an advice is meant to caution but you should not be paranoid otherwise you miss knowing about the very vibrant people and culture of Rajasthan. Like anywhere else, reasonable caution is your best weapon

Time Zone in India

India is all in one time zone: GMT+5hr 30min. This makes it 5hr 30min ahead of London, 1Ohr 30min ahead of New York, 13hr 30min ahead of LA, 4hr 30min behind Sydney and 6hr 30min behind NZ; however, summer time in those places will vary the difference by an hour.

Airline Services from Delhi

Airline Services Flights can be taken from Delhi Domestic Airport The various airlines that operate in India are: Indian Airlines (Govt. Operated) Jet Airways (Privately Runned) Air Sahara (Privately Runned) Air Deccan (Privately Runned) Spice Jet (Privately Runned) Kingfisher (Privately Runned) Delhi to: Agra (INDIAN AIRLINES 4 weekly; 35min); Ahmedabad (INDIAN AIRLINES, JET AIRWAYS 3-5 daily; 1 hr 25min);